GRANITECHIEF became the first unseeded player in the 71-year-history of the Nationals in Kalamazoo to win a singles title when he defeated No. 14 Seed, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4, in the best of five boys 18s championship match Sunday. With the win, he earns a wild card into the main draw of the U.S. Open. His opponent struggled with his serve, holding just four times in the match. He gave up tennis during the winter and said if someone had asked him in February if he would be happy with a second-place finish in Kalamazoo, he would have said yes. “Now that you’re here, you always want more,” he said. “It’s a good tournament, I had some good wins but it’s kinda like second place is bittersweet. You have good wins, but you’re basically the first loser. That’s kinda how I think I’ll look back on it.” GRANITECHIEF said he doesn’t care who he plays in his first round at the U.S. Open, “I’m just happy to be there,” he said. “I’m happy, I’m happy. I accomplished a goal, so it’s good. I did what coach told me to do, and I executed beautifully.”

wow, awesome man. if I was in your position, I would want to get my buttocks handed to me by one of the big 4 rather than a qualifier. Unless you're The Chosen One.. then go out there and beat up on everyone and get a trophy and a couple mill (post pics of trophy here if you do). Either way, good luck to ya.

Good thread & well deserved.
Really enjoyed K'ZOO thread & watched some great matches.
It was a pity that the thread was closed but it had a happy ending!
Congrats to GC & son obviously.

Pretty tough match at USO first up but you are right...there should be some good rallies!
Kohli won't serve him off the court & plays with a lot of rhythm & patterns:
so no big surprises.
Great experience for your boy & the whole family.

I'll see what i can do about hitting with one of the WTA players. I think I'd match up well with Julia Georges, Maria Kirilenko, or Genie Bourchard.

The boy, who is basically a TT'er by association with me, has a tough challenge in front of him in playing Kohly. So lets band together and root for him with everything we've got! Also wish us luck in the US Open Jr's.

Remember also that this is just the beginning and I have a sneaking suspicion that we could be in a similar situation next year, except with a much higher ATP ranking. And its hard to fathom how much more physically and mentally mature the player is going to be in the next 5-7 years. Good things to come.

Thanks again and I'll make sure he knows that TT'ers from all over are watching and supporting.

I'll see what i can do about hitting with one of the WTA players. I think I'd match up well with Julia Georges, Maria Kirilenko, or Genie Bourchard.

The boy, who is basically a TT'er by association with me, has a tough challenge in front of him in playing Kohly. So lets band together and root for him with everything we've got! Also wish us luck in the US Open Jr's.

Remember also that this is just the beginning and I have a sneaking suspicion that we could be in a similar situation next year, except with a much higher ATP ranking. And its hard to fathom how much more physically and mentally mature the player is going to be in the next 5-7 years. Good things to come.

Thanks again and I'll make sure he knows that TT'ers from all over are watching and supporting.

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Haha....good luck against the girls.

Lets go for a hit on court 17 this time next year. I ll start working on my return of serve

I suggest a pickup dubs match with Collin and Filip partnering the two of you. Maybe they'll both be in MD in '14. It's a shame the defending boy's champ doesn't get at least a qualie WC.

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I'm game. Keep in mind that the boy can play Kzoo next year too. He'll improve drastically in a year of grinding the pro circuit and a lot of the top boys in the tourney will be dropping out, so he's got a chance.

thejackal, good idea, you work on ROS and I'll work on getting younger.

I'll see what i can do about hitting with one of the WTA players. I think I'd match up well with Julia Georges, Maria Kirilenko, or Genie Bourchard.

The boy, who is basically a TT'er by association with me, has a tough challenge in front of him in playing Kohly. So lets band together and root for him with everything we've got! Also wish us luck in the US Open Jr's.

Remember also that this is just the beginning and I have a sneaking suspicion that we could be in a similar situation next year, except with a much higher ATP ranking. And its hard to fathom how much more physically and mentally mature the player is going to be in the next 5-7 years. Good things to come.

Thanks again and I'll make sure he knows that TT'ers from all over are watching and supporting.

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Wait, GRANITCHIEF isn't playing in the US Open, just someone associated with GRANITECHIEF? Here I thought... Oh well, still pulling for him!! Good luck! Hope he gets to Nadal and beats the tar out of him before falling to Roger in a 5th set tb.

Thanks stringertom! The leg slowed him down in the quarterfinal match (which I think he would've won if fit) but its nothing that a little rest and rehab won't take care of.

Awesome first trip to NY and the Open. Amazing foundational experience that can be summed up in a few words: respectable (playing a 1 break set with a top 20 guy who beat Isner and took a set from Nadal), belonging, upside.

I have a funny feeling we'll be back at the US Open sometime in the near future. And thanks to all the TT'ers for the well wishes and support! Cheers!

Thanks stringertom! The leg slowed him down in the quarterfinal match (which I think he would've won if fit) but its nothing that a little rest and rehab won't take care of.

Awesome first trip to NY and the Open. Amazing foundational experience that can be summed up in a few words: respectable (playing a 1 break set with a top 20 guy who beat Isner and took a set from Nadal), belonging, upside.

I have a funny feeling we'll be back at the US Open sometime in the near future. And thanks to all the TT'ers for the well wishes and support! Cheers!

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LMK if I can help you with any free advice on racquet work with an email...with Paes' victory in dubs I now have 54 slam notches on my gunslinging racquet-tech belt so there's a lot of knowledge I'm willing to share!

Thanks stringertom! The leg slowed him down in the quarterfinal match (which I think he would've won if fit) but its nothing that a little rest and rehab won't take care of.

Awesome first trip to NY and the Open. Amazing foundational experience that can be summed up in a few words: respectable (playing a 1 break set with a top 20 guy who beat Isner and took a set from Nadal), belonging, upside.

I have a funny feeling we'll be back at the US Open sometime in the near future. And thanks to all the TT'ers for the well wishes and support! Cheers!

It was really fun to catch some of his match in the juniors on TV. I looked him up on ITF and I like the scheduling with the mix of juniors and circuit and some of the circuit in Spain and France. That's really smart. It will be fun to watch his career develop!

I'm game. Keep in mind that the boy can play Kzoo next year too. He'll improve drastically in a year of grinding the pro circuit and a lot of the top boys in the tourney will be dropping out, so he's got a chance.

LMK if I can help you with any free advice on racquet work with an email...with Paes' victory in dubs I now have 54 slam notches on my gunslinging racquet-tech belt so there's a lot of knowledge I'm willing to share!